Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Bull.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Those most vivid memory I have as a strapping young gal is vigorously ‘Cy Twombly’ scribbling on the wall in my parents apartment in Bellaire, Houston. I am still to this day, very apologetic about the deposit I am sure I had cost them. Around age 6, I moved to the southern scratchy breeches of Tomball, Texas where I was raised in bubba, cowboy heaven, home to trucks with over-sized wheels and a huge lack of artistic awareness. I did not fit in. I was wild, turbulent, loud and ridiculously emotional. I was sad. I thrashed around like a colorful Tasmanian devil and although I did make friends, it was never satiated. I made art alone and shared my dreams with myself. When I went to college, I exited the high school lunchroom steadfast and started to make some real friends. At Sam Houston State University, I met this beautiful utopia of artistic people, including my professor Kathy Kelley, and I practically slept in the 24-hour-access studio and dove into every project I was given. At this point in my life, I was also on probation but being apart of this community and making art had quickly got me out of the toxic mix I was in. The following year I became a mentor, the first and only mentor that minored in Art. I realized then that I loved teaching art and that I was pretty good at it. After I graduated, I moved to Houston. I immediately found a the communal mecca in Montrose and got to work. I worked for free, offered my services, asked questions and kept learning. One characteristic I like about me is that I have always been fearless, a sacrificial dork in order to get things done. I am constantly energized by the beautiful creative utopia I had found and contributed and manifested ideas wherever I can. I have produced several events such as; The Houston Music and Arts Hall of Fame, Dream Machine 2016-2019, Sketchbook Saloon and was co-founder of the DIY venue ‘The Waughford.’ I have also produced many oil paintings, have been an art educator for five years as well as a dance director. I hope to have a solo art show of my paintings in the near future.
Please tell us about your art.
My work as a teacher, oil painter and event planner all sort of collide in one mission in that I want to help cultivate a healthy community fueled by creativity, collaboration and kindness. This may be a pipe dream but I will work through the sweat for the rest of my life to at least try and make a difference. Social media disconnects us, people are isolated, ideas of beauty and love are misconstrued, people don’t collaborate like they used to without being paid heavily, the gender war is excruciatingly painful, I want more. I think everyone else does too but they are either ruled by fear, social media, targeted advertising, suffer from cognitive dissonance which is all exacerbated by our isolation with each other. When did it become radical to be vulnerable and kind? I will be the sacrificial dork if that means providing relief to our current cultural toxicity.
Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
You got to make it work. I work 55 hours a week but I love all of my jobs so it doesn’t feel like work all the time. It’s hard but you can’t be afraid to work when you are a creative. I teach and also make art to balance my budget but I also LOVE being a teacher. Find a job you like that is a financially viable option to help support you while allowing you the space to be a creative. You just may have to have two jobs and work overtime. Being an artist is not always a luxury.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Dreammachinehtx.com, Instagram: Hannahbullnectar, hannahbullflux
Go to my events! Buy my art. Give me a hug.
Contact Info:
- Website: dreammachinehtx.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: hannahbullnectar, hannahbullflux
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HannahBullNectarr?ref=bookmarks
Image Credit:
Pam Ashley
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